Insect Painting Course

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About Course

Welcome to Relax with Chinese Painting – Insects, a course designed to guide you into the lively, poetic world of traditional Chinese freehand painting through the charming theme of insects.

Throughout this course, we will move step-by-step from understanding the foundations of Chinese freehand painting to developing the skills to observe, appreciate, and paint insects with both precision and spirit.

Course Structure

The course is structured into three main modules:

  1. Module 1: Introduction to Freehand Painting
  2. Module 2: The Spirit and Tradition of Insect Painting
  3. Module 3: Study of Insects

By the end of the course, you will:

  • Appreciate the role of flower-and-bird paintingwithin Chinese freehand art, especially the subtle balance between flora and fauna, emptiness and movement, and symbolism and seasonal meanings.
  • Build a respectful knowledge of insect painting traditions, tracing their historical development, exploring their cultural symbolism, and learning from notable mastersacross Chinese painting history.
  • Develop the ability to observe insects attentively, recognizing essential forms, postures, and rhythmsthat reveal the spirit of life beyond mere anatomical accuracy.
  • Strengthen your technical skills by studying fifteen types of insects, learning to capture their unique character through expressive brushwork, refined ink techniques, and sensitive color application.
  • Cultivate an inner attitude of patience, simplicity, and appreciation, approaching painting not as a mechanical task, but as a form of gentle meditationand personal poetry.

This course is not only a technical study, but also a gateway to future creativity—giving you the foundations to paint insects with freedom, spirit, and natural elegance for years to come. Whether you are new to Chinese painting or building on your experience, I hope this journey will bring you joy, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Course Materials

  1. Oriental painting brushes (various sizes) – Very important!
  2. Half-raw Xuan rice paper – Also essential!
  3. Chinese painting colors (watercolors or gouache can temporarily work)
  4. Oriental ink – A must-have for authentic brushwork
  5. Felt (for absorbing excess ink)
  6. 1-2 white plates (for mixing colors)

Course Content

Introduction
We begin by exploring the core philosophy behind freehand painting, its origins, and how it differs from the Gongbi (meticulous) style.You will also discover the essence of flower-and-bird painting, the delicate balance between flora and fauna, and the symbolism and seasonal meanings hidden within traditional compositions.We will review the essential materials you’ll need: from brushes, ink, pigments, to paper types and accessories, with practical tips to prepare you for painting.

  • Introduction to Freehand Painting
    11:32

The Spirit and Tradition of Insect Painting
In this section, we delve into the origin and history of insect painting within the broader development of Chinese art.We will discuss the unique role insects play in flower-and-bird painting, the traditional understanding of aesthetics—how to balance liveliness and vitality while capturing the spirit rather than focusing on rigid detail.You’ll learn about the important concept of small freehand painting and be introduced to several notable masters who shaped this delicate art form.

Study of Insects
Finally, we embark on an in-depth study of 15 types of insects, divided into three categories: 1. Flying insects  2. Expressive-limbed insects  3. Crawling insects  For each insect, we will first explore its cultural symbolism in Oriental traditions, followed by a careful study of its structure and anatomical features.After building understanding, we will move directly into painting practice using brush, ink, and rice paper, focusing on capturing vitality and spirit through expressive strokes.

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